For the Checkout Assistant That Left Me Absolutely Speechless – My Hat's Off to You
The scene was a day of rest, and I felt grumpy enough, refueling my mother's vehicle. It was a common fuel stop that operates as a supermarket, which often leads of joining a queue customers carrying goods of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to happen when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Terrible.
My position was fourth in the queue. A single employee working, a female attendant. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. Once the slowpoke at the first position had finally paid for a cleaning product, his pastry, and some breakfast items, I was certain I heard the cashier wish him to have a great day. Odd. Maybe it was a mistake, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if perhaps she was an ally in my fight against faff, echoing my disdain for people who hold up simple fuel-buyers like me.
I moved up, now third in line. The next shopper of our line completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. Someone from the US? At this location? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here says to others those exact words, or simply a good day. Highly unusual. You don’t get people from America visiting this town, and definitely not working in petrol stations or elsewhere.
Second in line at last. Following a senior shopper embroiled in a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her food items, her handbag and her rewards card. The process dragged on. After she finished, the woman also received the wish to have a fantastic day. Yes, American for sure. I might have verified it by cracking a joke in her direction, to check for that response when they look at you, without a smile, and state very earnestly: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to express.
Ultimately, I accepted for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, which amounts to the same thing – with which she looked me right in the eye, piercingly, and told me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. It was a good thing.
